Expressions in Words African American/ Hispanic Greeting Cards and Gifts By Art Nadler Joseph Scott has one goal in life. He's determined to become the largest ethnic business in Southern Nevada to sell African American and Hispanic greeting cards. Currently, Scott's Expressions in Words store, located at 2650 Maryland Pkwy., Suite A-1, features more than 200 African American and Hispanic greeting cards covering every special occasion from birthdays to weddings, graduations, religious holidays, get-well messages and many more.

The works of some 20 noted African American artists are exhibited at Expressions in Words. There are porcelain figurines, signed posters and collector's plates by world famous artists such as Annie Lee and Albert Fennell. Other ethnic items include metal candleholders fashioned into musical instruments or figurines dressed in traditional tribal costumes. "If you buy a card from me, you can also buy an African American gift and put it in an African American bag,"Scott says. "The address books I sell are also art books. You can come in and find something that's usually hard to find." Scott opened Expressions in Words on Jan. 5, 2000, because he says he wanted to offer the public something different. Walking over to a huge greeting card rack, he picks up a card designed by Ed Broom, a noted Detroit card maker. Broom, Scott says, was the first person to offer African American greeting cards in 1962. Famous entertainers such as Bill Cosby, Scott points out, own many original works by Annie Lee. Both she and Fennell, he says, frequently stop by his store to visit and talk about their art. "I grew up with a white Santa Claus. My father was not white,"Scott says of how important his store is in helping ethnic children find their own identity. "There is a shortage of Hispanic cards on the market. That's why I want to be the largest African American and Hispanic card company in Las Vegas." Expressions in Words gift card prices range from $1.50 to $2.25. Signed artist prints are between $15 and $200. Gifts sell for as little as $1.20 for a pen to $75 for a figurine, Scott says. "Asians have their own (China) Town,"Scotts explains. "They shop among their own people and are a very tight community. I'd like to see that happen with African Americans." For more information contact: Expressions in Words, 2650 Maryland Pkwy., Suite A-1, Las Vegas, NV. 89109. Phone: (702) 737-5433. Fax: (702) 737-7739.